PLAN Research Day December 7 2007
From NIER
PLAN Research Day 7 December 2007 - Utrecht
On December 7, 2007 the PLAN research day ("PLAN dag”) was held at the University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht. This PLAN research day was the 12th of a series of national PLAN research days in the field of nephrology. This provided an excellent opportunity for the Researchers from the department of Nephrology, UMC Utrecht to introduce their research projects, describe their scientific applications and explore avenues for future research. The day started with an informal reception in the morning. Dr. P.J. Blankestijn, internist – nephrologist at the UMC Utrecht opened the day on behalf of Staff members of the department of nephrology and hypertension. Thereafter, the researchers presented their projects. The main topics of the morning session were MASTERPLAN-study, Cardiac Dysfunction in Experimental Renal Failure, The Renal Transcriptome in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats and finally Role of Maternal Supplementation with Citrulline and Renal Nitric Oxide.
At the end of the morning session, all researchers enjoyed the lunch at the UMC Utrecht. There was tour organized to the university library of Utrecht at the Uithof campus. The university building is one of the many interesting buildings at the Uithof campus with a unique architecture. This building has a total floor area of 30,000 square meters (gross). The floors are covered with light-grey shining material which softly reflects the light. The desks are covered with especially designed red imitation leather. The colour red draws attention to the desks. The print on the walls and windows is based on a Kim Zwarts photograph. The screen prints on the windows filter the incoming light. It was interesting and great fun to visit this special building.
The afternoon session mainly consisted of clinical research projects, including Sympathetic Nerve Activity and Cardiovascular Damage in Renal Patients, Effects of Erythropoietin in the Cardiorenal Syndrome and Effect of External Stimuli on Refill during Combined Ultrafiltration and Haemodialysis. After a coffee break, we moved to the third session “the Workshop”. During this workshop Dr. R. Hené internist – nephrologist at the UMC Utrecht gave a brief history of renal transplantation. We ended the presentations with a very interesting interactive lecture by Dr. Jaap Joles, DVM, PhD at the UMC Utrecht, on “How to review an article?”
At the end of this intensive scientific day, there was time and space for socializing and having some drinks at the UMC Utrecht. And finally we had a wonderful dinner at “Havana restaurant” at the center of the city. All in all, it was a very productive day and was a great opportunity for socializing within the nephrology network. Every session was filled with questions and discussions.
Hereby I would like to thank all participants of this PLAN research day in Utrecht!
On behalf of PLAN,
Laima Siddiqi
